It might be the image of a proud Aboriginal fisherman standing strong, displaying his catch - or three little children, fear etched in their eyes as good samaritans take them to a new life - or a hand tinted wedding photograph, stiff with the tradition of an era gone by.

They are memories and they are stories. Sometimes uplifting and joyful, sometimes hard to process but essential narratives that bind communities, connect individuals and make a history.

The in living memory exhibition from State Records NSW consists not only of photographs taken by the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board between 1919 and 1966, but also more recent images that connect them to today.

Beyond their value in reflecting the past, the collection is proving to be an invaluable tool for Indigenous Australians looking to restablish severed ties.

A picture tells a thousand words

While many images are printed in large form and hung in an exhibition space, perhaps the more fascinating stories are tucked away in the collection.

Arranged by community, albums are available for people to browse and, as the exhibition travels around NSW, the curators often find elders and others coming back day after day to follow a pathway of visual research through folders of black and white memories and stories.

"They come one day, look at the images and maybe make a few notes," Sue Newman, Aboriginal Archivist at State Records of NSW added.

"[They] go home, discuss it, make phone calls. Then they're back again maybe in a day or two after they've twigged their memory.

Personal stories

Sue Newman has a powerful connection with the exhibition.

"When I was doing family history I... stumbled across my family within the exhibition. That led me on a journey...to make contact again as they had made their way over to Western Australia.

"They'd actually moved as far away as they possibly could from the Board and their control. And this is what I found out when we reconnected with family... It's brought the family back. I have a better understanding. I have stories that were never told.

Sue's story is one of many that continue to evolve as resources like this collection of photographs help fill in the gaps of what has for many been a very disjointed life.

in living memory is on display at the Civic Library opposite the Legislative Assembly, on London Circuit in Civic until July 28th